Two strategies to live in low chronic pollution estuaries: The potential role of lifestyle

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2011

Authors

M Rubal (Author) Other; Guilhermino, L. (Author) ICBAS; Medina, MN (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

Vol. 74

Pages: 1226-1231

ISSN: 0147-6513

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 3 Citations

Scopus - 3 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-Q64

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2011.02.017

Abstract (EN): Although physiological and genetic adaptation to toxic stress has been the focus of recent research, the role of lifestyle in pollution tolerance has received less attention. In this study, copper tolerance of benthic and epi-benthic species of harpacticoid copepods was investigated. Concentration-response curves were generated for populations of both species but collected at contaminated and uncontaminated estuaries. The population of the benthic species from the contaminated site showed higher tolerance than its population from the uncontaminated site. The epi-benthic species showed no interspecific differences in tolerance. The comparison of tolerance between field collected animals of the benthic species and animals from the same population but reared in the laboratory for two generations suggested the existence of a genetic inherited tolerance. Results revealed the importance that lifestyle may have on the generation of tolerance to toxic substances and highlight a potential unforeseen role of it in maintenance of biodiversity on contaminated habitats.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6